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Steve Nash can't afford to play in Major League Soccer, says Galaxy Coach Bruce Arena

March 22, 2011 | 1:03
pm

This is the week that Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco is supposed to be training with Sporting Kansas City, with no chance whatsoever that the NFL player will be switching to Major League Soccer.

One athlete, however, who could successfully make the transition to soccer, according to Galaxy Coach Bruce Arena, is Phoenix Suns point guard and two-time NBA most valuable player Steve Nash.

"If he decided to be a soccer player he would probably have a shot," Arena said. "But when you make $18 million a year playing basketball, I'm not sure we can debate whether his decision [to join the NBA] was a good one or not."

A keen soccer fan, Nash is part-owner of the Vancouver Whitecaps, one of two new teams in MLS this season. In their opener on Saturday, the Whitecaps drew a sellout crowd of 22,592 to Empire Field in Vancouver and defeated Toronto FC, 4-2.

Nash, who remembers the original Whitecaps of North American Soccer League days, was there.

"I've been a fan of the Whitecaps since I was a little boy, as long as I can remember," he told MLSsoccer.com. "So to see us back in the top flight in North America is exciting.

"We have a very smart soccer community here. I think the fans really understand the game. This market demands it. The fans don't want you to try and sell them just anything; they want you to put a good product on the field. They love the game as it is .... We're trying to be as authentic as possible while letting the game speak for itself."

This is the week that Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco is supposed to be training with Sporting Kansas City, with no chance whatsoever that the NFL player will be switching to MLS.

One athlete, however, who could successfully make the transition to soccer, according to Galaxy Coach Bruce Arena, is Phoenix Suns point guard and two-time NBA most valuable player Steve Nash.

"If he decided to be a soccer player he would probably have a shot," Arena said. "But when you make $18-million a year playing basketball, I'm not sure we can debate whether his decision [to join the NBA] was a good one or not."

A keen soccer fan, Nash is part owner of the Vancouver Whitecaps, one of two new teams in MLS this season. In their opener on Saturday, the Whitecaps drew a sellout crowd of 22,592 to Empire Field in Vancouver and defeated Toronto FC, 4-2.

Nash, who remembers the original Whitecaps of North American Soccer League days, was there.

"I've been a fan of the Whitecaps since I was a little boy, as long as I can remember," he told MLSsoccer.com. "So to see us back in the top flight in North America is exciting.

"We have a very smart soccer community here. I think the fans really understand the game. This market demands it. The fans don't want you to try and sell them just anything; they want you to put a good product on the field. They love the game as it is . . . We're trying to be as authentic as possible while letting the game speak for itself."